Engineering students set for National Concrete Canoe Competition

In a test of think or swim, this group of civil engineering students will use “concrete” determination to keep their dreams afloat. And, while most people would never dream of making a canoe out of concrete, let alone racing it, these extraordinary students are up for the challenge. As they chase the “America’s Cup of Civil Engineering,” hundreds of civil engineering students will trek to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa June 11-13, 2009, for the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) National Concrete Canoe Competition.

“The National Concrete Canoe Competition is about challenging civil engineering students to use the knowledge they have gained in the classroom, combined with their natural ingenuity and ability to work together as a team, in a fun and engaging way,” said ASCE president D. Wayne Klotz, P.E., D.WRE, F.ASCE. “The experience they gain in this competition will go a long way in helping these students overcome the challenges they will face during their professional careers.”

The 2009 National Concrete Canoe Competition finalists are:
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
University of Alabama in Huntsville
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona       
University of California, Berkeley
Clemson University                       
University of Cincinnati
École de technologie supérieure               
University of Evansville
Fairmont State University                   
University of Florida
New Mexico State University                   
University of Memphis
Ohio Northern University                   
University of Nevada, Reno
Polytechnic Institute of NYU                   
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville           
University of Texas at Tyler
Université Laval                       
University of Washington
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York   
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Throughout the year, teams of civil engineering students logged thousands of hours researching, designing and constructing their concrete canoes in search of the winning combination of creativity, knowledge and teamwork. After coming out on top in regional competitions throughout the spring, the best and brightest from 22 top engineering schools will match wits and skills in four categories—the aesthetics and structural integrity of their canoe; a technical design paper highlighting their planning, development, testing and construction; an academic presentation covering their canoe’s design, construction, racing ability and other innovative features; and, of course, the performance of the canoe and its paddlers in five different races—men’s and women’s slalom/endurance races and men’s, women’s and co-ed sprint races. Performance in each of the four categories accounts for 25 percent of a team’s total score.

The competition starts Thursday, June 11, on the Quad at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa campus, as the teams’ canoes are weighed, measured and judged for aesthetics. The teams will also “swamp” their canoes in a tank of water to test their flotation ability, and students will have the opportunity to participate in a career fair, where both national and regional sponsors will discuss their products and employment opportunities. Then, Friday, June 12, the teams will deliver and defend their academic presentations—including outlines of the design, cost and construction of their canoe—in front of a panel of professional civil engineers. Finally, on Saturday, June 13, the students will gather for the canoe races at Lake Nicol in Tuscaloosa. The endurance races will begin at 8 a.m., the preliminary sprint races will begin at 11 a.m. and the sprint finals will begin at 2 p.m. The event will conclude with a banquet, where the winners will be announced and the competition awards distributed.

The event, organized by ASCE, is being hosted by the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and is made possible by the support of the American Concrete Institute; Baker Concrete Construction; World of Concrete; and Holcim U.S. Inc. For more information on the National Concrete Canoe Competition, including a schedule of events and downloadable high-resolution photos, please visit: www.concretecanoe.asce.org.
The National Concrete Canoe Competition is organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers and is funded by the American Concrete Institute; Baker Concrete Construction; World of Concrete; and Holcim U.S. Inc.